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Sunday, October 10, 2010

When life gives you pumpkins...

...make pumpkin pie. Four of them. And two pumpkin cakes. And there was still enough to fill three tupperware containers. It was a very big pumpkin. Check it out for yourself in these photos. Who doesn't love a good pumpkin photo? We think it was about 40 pounds. Remi kindly peeled, cut and supervised the cooking process and even helped me out a bit with the pie preparation.







For those wanting to make pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, it's pretty easy. The prep is the longest part. Cut the pumpkin into slices and peel. Scoop out the seeds. We cook it in a pressure cooker in the steam basket. About 15 to 20 minutes when it's fully steaming or so that you can stick a knife through the pumpkin flesh easily. I mash the pumpkin a bit and drain off some of the excess water. Then you can use the traditional pumpkin pie recipes like this one. Instead of evaporated milk, I use crème liquide (20 cl). However you can get evaporated milk here (lait concentré). If your mom doesn't send you pumpkin pie spice from the US like mine, then just cinammon will do, or splurge and by all the individual spices.

I guess autumn brings out the baker in me. Gray days need a little sugary pick-me up. Juliette's getting into helping me stir the batter, a dangerous operation sometimes but I'm pleased to have my little baker girl beside me.

6 comments:

Amber said...

That's one heck of a pumpkin!! I'm salivating at the sound of pumpkin pie and cake and all that yummy stuff.

Crystal said...

mmmmm! I love the photos of Juju sitting on the pumpkin! I wish I were closer to come over and taste your pie :)

I think i'm not as courageous as you and I'll wait to go home for xmas to have a slice of pumpkin pie. I'd love to pick up a few pumpkins and gourds to decorate my apartment for the Fall/Halloween though.

Keep those photos coming!

Bisous from Paris

The Boy said...

Love the photos! Being British somewhat confused by the mixing of pumpkin and marshmallows in a pie context, but your recipe does sound great!

Lindle said...

Well, the size of that pumpkin puts Juliette's growth in perspective now! She seems soooo much taller and getting to be a "little big girl" helping you with the cooking--how fun. You are adventurous to tackle a pumpkin that size--whew! Pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake (mmmm). Be careful, y'all don't turn orange.

Mil said...

Well re:marshmellows, I think you're thinking of sweet potatoes, The Boy. Those are great on sweet potato casserole, served hot. Whipped cream (chantilly) goes better with pumpkin pie.

Jenenz said...

All that food you made out of a pumpkin, and it also made a wonderful chair too. Pumpkin has many uses. Horray for pumpkins! Happy fall. Halloween is nearing..